Anthrax squad to tackle hoaxers

Police have warned hoaxers they may go to jail

A special squad of anti-terrorist police officers has been set up to investigate hoax packages, following a spate of anthrax alerts in the UK.

The Metropolitan Police team, drawn from the Serious Crime Group, is investigating various incidents in London.

And it warned that "appropriate action" would be taken against anyone identified as being responsible for sending such packages.

There have been numerous scares across the UK

The team's inquiries are part of wider investigations headed by Deputy Assistant Commissioner Alan Fry, national co-ordinator for terrorism.

Mr Fry said: "There is currently no intelligence to suggest a specific threat to London or elsewhere in the UK.

"However, understandably this is a time of heightened tension and people who deliberately send hoax packages are exploiting this.

"We are carrying out vigorous investigations and will take all steps possible to bring those people before the courts."

Seven years' jail

The police move follows a government announcement of new legislation to deal with bio-terror hoaxers.

The law, which will be introduced next month but backdated to last weekend, means hoaxers using bio-chemical, radioactive or nuclear threats face up to seven years in jail.

It strengthens the Criminal Justice Act 1991, which covers only hoaxes relating to explosive devices.

Police have been dealing with a spate of anthrax alerts around the UK, but so far none have proved to be genuine.

False alarms

A man was appearing before magistrates in Cardiff on Thursday, charged with posting packages containing hoax white powder to various people including Welsh Assembly First Minister Rhodri Morgan.

He had been remanded in custody pending indication of his plea, facing four charges of sending articles with intent to cause distress and one of causing a nuisance to the public.

And in Bath, a man accused of sending an envelope of harmless white powder to a colleague has been charged with wasting police time.

The US remains the only place where there have been confirmed cases of the disease since the 11 September terror attacks.

Police in the UK say anyone receiving a suspicious package in the post should take it seriously and put it somewhere safe, seal the room, stop anyone going in and call a police station for advice.